| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Bride of Lammermoor by Walter Scott: of intrigue and chicane, which none can better point out to you;
to gnaw the bones of his prey when he has devoured the substance?
Can you say as Sir William Ashton says, think as he thinks, vote
as he votes, and call your father's murderer your worshipful
father-in-law and revered patron? Master of Ravenswood, I am
the eldest servant of your house, and I would rather see you
shrouded and coffined!"
The tumult in Ravenswood's mind was uncommonly great; she struck
upon and awakened a chord which he had for some time
successfully silenced. He strode backwards and forwards through
the little garden with a hasty pace; and at length checking
 The Bride of Lammermoor |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: problems. The young girl, on her side, professed a horror for atheism,
and her conscience assured her that a deist was cousin-germain to an
atheist.
"Have you thought, Felix, of doing what you promised me?" asked
Celeste, as soon as Madame Colleville had left them alone.
"No, my dear Celeste," replied Felix.
"Oh! to have broken his word!" she cried, softly.
"But to have kept it would have been a profanation," said Felix. "I
love you so deeply, with a tenderness so little proof against your
wishes, that I promised a thing contrary to my conscience. Conscience,
Celeste, is our treasure, our strength, our mainstay. How can you ask
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